In Omaha, NE, the average last spring frost is Apr 18 and the average first fall frost is Oct 21, which leaves about 185 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE weather station, at 982 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Apr 30, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 6.
Frost dates for Omaha, NE
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Apr 5 | Nov 1 | 210 days |
| Average (half of years) | Apr 18 | Oct 21 | 185 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Apr 30 | Oct 6 | 159 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Omaha, NE
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 to Mar 7 | Apr 25 to May 2 | – |
| Peppers | Feb 7 to Feb 21 | May 2 to May 9 | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 to Feb 21 | May 2 to May 9 | – |
| Onions | Feb 7 to Feb 21 | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | – |
| Parsley | Feb 7 to Feb 21 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 21 to Mar 7 | Apr 4 to Apr 11 | Jul 29 to Aug 26 |
| Basil | Mar 7 to Mar 7 | Apr 25 to May 2 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 to Mar 21 | Jul 29 to Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 to Mar 21 | Aug 26 to Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 to Mar 21 | Aug 26 to Sep 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | Aug 26 to Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | Jul 29 to Aug 26 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | Jul 29 to Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | Jul 29 to Aug 26 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 to Apr 18 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 to Apr 18 | Aug 26 to Sep 23 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 2 | Jul 18 to Aug 1 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 2 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 2 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 2 | Jul 8 to Jul 22 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 2 | Jul 18 to Aug 1 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 2 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | May 2 to May 16 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 to May 16 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
The National Weather Service forecast shows frost risk on: Sun 15 night (31°F), Sat 21 night (35°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 31°F | Freeze |
| Mon 16 night | 39°F | No frost expected |
| Tue 17 night | 44°F | No frost expected |
| Wed 18 night | 43°F | No frost expected |
| Thu 19 night | 44°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 49°F | No frost expected |
| Sat 21 night | 35°F | Frost possible |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Omaha, NE
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Omaha, NE?
The average last spring frost is Apr 18. A late frost as far out as Apr 30 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Omaha, NE?
The average first fall frost is Oct 21. It can arrive as early as Oct 6 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Omaha, NE?
The average freeze-free season is about 185 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.